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CONTENTS

1. Lessons from the Field: ICTs and Women's Empowerment

2. New in the Digital Dividend Clearinghouse: Budhikote Cable Radio Network and CyberGrameen

3. Funding Opportunities: Digital Partners 2003-2004 SEL Competition and Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund

4. Special Opportunity: Information Technology and International Cooperation Networks

1. Lessons from the Field: ICTs and Women's Empowerment

Throughout much of the developing world, gender discrimination makes it especially difficult for women to access and benefit from ICTs. Unless women are actively involved in the planning and use of new information technologies, there is a risk that ICTs will serve to reinforce, rather than overcome, gender inequalities. Recognizing the importance of women using ICTs, many projects are incorporating gender analysis to address women's access, participation, and determination of how such technologies are designed and deployed. Read more

2. New in the Digital Dividend Clearinghouse: Budhikote Cable Radio Network and CyberGrameen

Five new projects have been added to the Clearinghouse since our last edition of the Digest. Among the highlights are:

Budhikote Cable Radio Network: Thirty-six women's self help groups in the Indian village of Budhikote have set up a cable radio network. With a contribution of 50 rupees every month from each woman, the network has grown to cover 250 of the 750 households of the village. Women use computers to edit and produce radio programs on relevant issues such as organic farming, sericulture, health, local electricity and water problems.

CyberGrameen: The Swarna Bharat Trust, an Indian NGO, has sought to empower people at the grassroots by bundling entertainment, edutainment, and a host of services, including healthcare, through centers of convergence named CyberGrameen.

3. Funding Opportunities: Digital Partners 2003-2004 SEL Competition and Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund

Digital Partners 2003-2004 SEL Competition Invites Preliminary Applications: Digital Partners invites for-profit and non-profit social entrepreneurs and organizations using information and communication technology (ICT) to serve disenfranchised communities in developing countries to submit a Preliminary Application for participation in the 2003-2004 Social Enterprise Laboratory (SEL). Projects should benefit the poor and must be ICT-enabled, market-based, and self-sustaining.

The most promising projects will receive business and technology mentoring assistance (assistance to design, incubate, deploy, and scale innovative projects) and become eligible to receive initial equity investments from Digital Partners based on projected social benefit and capacity to achieve sustainability. Previous investments have ranged from $10,000 to $100,000.

Preliminary applications are available year-round and must be made online at http://www.digitalpartners.org/sel_apply.html. Applications for the 2003-2004 cycle must be submitted no later than Thursday, May 22, 2003. Digital Partners will evaluate initial submissions and contact a select number of social entrepreneurs by the end of June and invite them to submit a full application.

Questions may be directed to SEL Program Officer David Feige

For more details, click here

Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund: Aavishkaar India Micro Venture Capital Fund is a rurally oriented, for-profit social venture capital fund that promotes the largely ignored entrepreneurial potential that exists in rural India. Aavishkaar India provides timely, appropriate venture capital financing, management support, and professional expertise to promising microventures. Consistent with social development objectives, the fund accords priority to projects with no access or limited access to established institutions.

The fund accepts proposals throughout the year, without restrictions. For more information, click here

4. Special Opportunity: Information Technology and International Cooperation Networks

The Social Science Research Council's Information Technology and International Cooperation program is seeking scholars and activists to participate in two research networks it is currently organizing. The networks will work on topics related to the program's focus on the uses and applications of information technology (IT) among transnational civil society organizations, on the international policies and decisions about IT that affect those uses and applications, and on the potential for civil society to shape those policies and decisions.

Scholars and activists with expertise on these topics should submit a CV, a relevant writing sample, and a one-paragraph description of research interests via e-mail by May 15, 2003 to Ms. Marcela Sabino

Participants will receive an honorarium for their involvement. The program is particularly interested in participants from the developing world. For more information, click here